Monthly Archives: November 2009

Slept well. Day fine. Cough bad. Breakfast at 8 with E. He is a very singular man indeed. Afterwards he signed the 100£ bill. Then I wrote. (Letters from Potter, Penrhyn & Bruce, all affirmative.) till Mr. & Mrs. Ferrier came, to whom I shewed drawings. They are both nice people ― she absolutely charming. It is plain that E. is a man whose temper has made him terribly feared ― & that [Jemmy] was never in the [worry]. Lunch. & later came the 2 pictures, which we got out, & they are now in the dining room.

Fine & cold after rain. Pleasant & lively breakfast: ― W.H. is a wonderful fellow. I wonder if he knows of my letters to Lord & Lady D. ― At 11 I came away with the “Caterer” a stammering & untoward sort of man, to whom I offered 2/6 for his drive, but he said “N―n―n―o ― SS―i―rr ― it’s too much ― & I don’t want it ―” but very ungraciously. ― At the Station, got my other luggage, & came in a cab to Mrs. Edwards’, seeing W. Sandbach on the road.

Found letters from Mrs. Edwd Hornby, J. Cross, Col. Leake, Sir J. Reid, & W. Nevill ― very kind & subscribing each. ― from A. Stanley ― abrupt & disagreable ― refusing: ― & from Lord Derby ― also refusing ― & very queer. from Ann ― also ― & Daddy Hunt the good. ― Mrs. Ferrier, the extremely handsome & nice sister of J.E. came in & lunched, ― & went. After that I wrote 8 letters: ― & at 4 ― talked with Mrs. E. ― at 5 came in the fabulous E. ― looking older ― but very kind in manner. The [caressing] address of his manner is amazing, but I resolved to think only of his kindness. His vexation however at the pictures, not being arrived was very painful, & fully shared by me. ― Dinner pleasant & good ― only Mrs. E. did not eat: ― is she not like a medieval lady? Afterwards ― tea ― & singing ― & talk till 10. A most singular day in many ways. ―

Breakfast. Off at 10½ ― intending to go to Winwick. (omitted to see Col. Clowes, & also to leave any message for him ― by being “maddled.”)

But the train was express & went straight to Lpool. ― So, leaving my things at the station, I & a trunk went to Knowsley in a cab: ― a queer set of feelings always. The W.H.s were out, so I walked to Hyton & saw all the Ashtons & J. [Winstonby] who reminded me it was 30 years since he took me to Lpool. We walked back, past the changed hall ― not outside but in.

“Packed.” ― & breakfast at 8. ― After which walked out with W. Langton ―: went to T. Potter’s ― & saw the Philæ, & the 2 pictures, Corfû & Athos, of St. Leonards’ days. ― Returned to the Langtons: the young ladies are but so so methinks ― & after Woodborough & Papplewick &c. ― things is slowish. ― Wrote to Giorgio, Spiro, & Shakespeare. ― Lunch ― & then at 2 my cab came. Left, & came to Col. Clowes. The Colonel was going out. Miss C. & I worked at sketches. Later I wrote notes, & at 6 Sam came. Oddly enough, he backed out of the Bassæ 5£ but, on my being surprised, said Yes. ― Letters from C.F. & M. Milnes subscribing. from Mr. & Mrs. Edwards, & Windham H.

At dinner, an Aunt Holden ― & a young Mr. Vavacour, ― an agent: a pleasantish quiet party ― but the party talk wholly gossip.

Dull gray day, but not cold. Walked in the garden. ― At 3½ left this beautiful house ― where I have had a most pleasant visit, & was down to W. Langtons. There were Mrs. L. ― & 2 daughters ― & 2 of Mr. Edmond’s daughters far more interesting to me. ― Bye & bye ― Arthur Heywood, & William Fairbairn ― a very nice fellow ― but sad ―: wife just dead.

Dinner pleasant ― & afterwards also.

Later I shewed Palestine sketches till 11.

The state of things between A.H. & the “deceased wife’s sister” ― is not concealed ― as why should it? being right: ― yet the consequences of this kind of excitement & delay are also plain.